Le Môle from Marignier

Update by the author on 12/08/2026: a note has been added to the ‘Practical Information’ section recommending that the walk be undertaken in the direction indicated.

The walk starts in Marignier from Impasse des Perrières. A few parking spaces are available (you can also find some behind the church or near the library).

(S/E) Head towards La Möle and, quite soon, turn right onto a wide path.

(1) At the first junction, carry on straight ahead. When you reach a cleared area, continue straight ahead and uphill (no visible signposting). A little further up, turn right at a fork, following the markings (yellow arrow). You’ll reach the Pecheux junction.

(2) Carry on straight ahead, south-west, towards L’Éponnet along a gently sloping path. After a short while, ignore a path on the left.

(3) The path runs above a few houses. Reach the Éponnet reservoir: carry on straight ahead towards Le Martinet along a small tarmac road. Not far on, take a path on the right (no signpost). After a short, steep stretch over scree, the walk is quite pleasant, with no excessive gradient and a few views. A little further up, at around 1,100 m, the gradient steepens along a route with numerous fairly short hairpin bends.

Suddenly, the path levels out almost completely. You’ll reach a wide, open spot offering a lovely view (there’s a bench here).

(4) Continue to the left, due north, following the ascent, through a less wooded area along a path that is more like a narrow track on a somewhat steep slope. A little further up, you’ll reach a wide, open meadow where the Rionffer ridge is clearly visible.

(5) The trail suddenly disappears. You should then head straight up a fairly steep grassy ridge for a vertical climb of about 60 metres (at this point, be quite careful and avoid going too far to the right as there is a ravine). See below for further details.
Once you reach the ridge, follow a clearly visible path to the left and head for a small pass at elevation 1587.

(6) Continue straight on towards the summit of Le Môle: the route follows the ridge along a wide path, with a few steep sections in places. You’ll reach the Croix du Môle.

(7) Carry on straight ahead. You’ll soon reach the summit of Le Môle (where there’s a bench).

(8) Carry on straight ahead along the path, which initially winds its way up some steep slopes over grassy ground. You will then join the main path.

(9) Carry on almost straight ahead, then turn left at the next fork: the Petit Môle is clearly visible, with chalets in the area (several routes are possible in this sector). You’ll reach the small pass near the Petit Môle, which takes about 5 minutes to reach.

(10) Turn left below a chalet and continue along a wide path (recently upgraded) that follows a gentle gradient up to the 1587-metre mark, at the crossroads you passed on the way out.

(6) Carry on straight ahead towards Marignier (via Les Granges). After a long descent, the path then continues for a short while with no significant change in elevation.
You’ll reach a clearly marked pass (with chalets) at a place called Les Granges.

(11) Carry on almost straight ahead towards Marignier, across the vast meadow along a gently descending path. Enter the forest and, not long after, the nature of the path changes abruptly, plunging to the right over some fairly steep slopes for quite a while (take care).
Reach the Pecheux junction, which you passed on the way out.

(2) Continue to the left towards Marignier, taking the opposite route to the one you took on the way there (S/E).

The starting point can be viewed on Google Maps: click here

Good walking boots and walking poles are recommended.

Please note: there are some challenging sections on a short stretch, just before the Rionffer ridge.

The route is best tackled in the direction indicated and when the ground is dry, particularly in the Rionffer area:

• between points (4) and (5): the path is visible but steep,
• between point (5) and the ridge: a short off-trail section on a very steep slope through grassy terrain, best tackled when ascending.

Be aware of the presence of sheepdogs guarding the flocks from June to September in the Alpage du Môle (between points (5) and (6).

Nature struggles to break down your rubbish. Please take it away with you!

The area around the summit of Le Môle is quite busy.

From (S/E) to (3): blue difficulty.
The trail is in fairly good condition
Marked with yellow arrows + signposts (except at the fork in the cleared area)

From (3) to (4), blue difficulty.
The trail is generally in good condition. The route is less clearly defined over a short section through scree.
There are no markings or signposts.

From (4) to (6): red difficulty
The route initially follows a path, then a narrow track winding up a somewhat steep grassy slope.
The difficulty arises when approaching the ridge line, where no path or track is visible (contrary to what the maps suggest): you should therefore climb as best you can through grassy terrain with fairly steep slopes, keeping slightly to the left
Once the ridge line is reached, the route follows a path that presents no difficulty.
No visible markings.

From (6) to (8): blue difficulty.
The ascent to the summit follows a wide path with a few steep sections.
Signposts are present.

From (8) to (10): blue difficulty.
You’ll initially encounter a short, steep section (it’s possible to avoid this by retracing your steps and turning right at the^first fork). After a steep descent, the route becomes gentler. The final few metres follow a more direct slope to La Lardère (other alternative routes are also possible in this area).
Marked with yellow arrows and signposts.

From (10) to (6) – green difficulty
The route is fairly easy on this section (note that it has recently been upgraded and widened).
Signs at the start but no markings along the route.

From (6) to (11): blue difficulty.
After a short descent, the route then turns to the right with a slight gradient.
Signposts are in place.

From (11) to (2): orange difficulty
Whilst the start of this section is straightforward, it becomes much more challenging further on, with steep slopes that are somewhat uneven in places (take care).
There are no markings, but finding your way is not a problem.

Le Môle: read more here

Daffodils are in abundance throughout April and May. You may pick as many as you can hold in one hand.